The hearing on Friday lasted just a couple hours with Jared Scheierl’s attorney calling four witnesses in all, including Jared, his ex-wife, a childhood friend and Patty Wetterling. They all painted a vivid picture of how they say Danny Heinrich has destroyed lives.

Statute of limitations laws and restitution rules kept Scheierl from any real justice. On Friday, he detailed for a judge his anxiety and depression from the trauma – a father of three who lost his focus at work and lost his marriage a few years ago.

“It’s hard to watch the people you care about break down and recognize their feelings and emotions are wrapped up in this, too,” Scheierl said.

She watched as he became consumed with finding answers and closure for their family. Scheierl helped piece the attacks in Paynesville together, convincing other victims to come forward and paving the way to Heinrich.

“He was so incredibly powerfully part of our resolution,” she said.

A judge will decide in the next month how much Scheierl is owed in damages.

“Time heals. If that means being alone to process my own thoughts and just staying out of the limelight, that’s what I’ll do,” Scheierl said.

Heinrich is serving 20 years behind bars. He pleaded guilty to child pornography charges as part of a deal that ended the Jacob Wetterling mystery.

Liz Collin

At 15 years old, Liz Collin made her broadcast debut covering a tornado that touched down in southwest Minnesota. It was her first night on the job at...More fromLiz Collin